We are standing right over the edge of the Spring Equinox. It’s the pivot point where we stop talking about "surviving the dark" and start talking about what we’re going to build, grow, and create.
This week, we’re looking at Governor Benjamin Eaton, the man who built the literal foundation of our landscape and a local shop, Akinz, that is keeping that same "build-it-here" spirit alive in Old Town. We’ve also got your Week 2 Seed Starting roadmap (it’s Tomato Time, folks) and a weekend list that ranges from puppy yoga to Blues bands.
Grab a coffee, check your grow lights, and let’s dig in!
– Megan
The Man Who Watered NOCO
The town of Eaton sits quietly along US-85, steady and unhurried amid the fields. The man it's named for had a lot to do with that.
Benjamin Harrison Eaton arrived in Colorado in 1858, and over the next four decades, he helped turn the northern plains into farmland, one ditch at a time.
Eaton came west during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, prospected for a while, fought under Kit Carson in the New Mexico Volunteers during the Civil War, and then came back to Weld County and made a very different kind of bet: that this dry, windy, alkaline ground could grow things, if someone did the hard work of getting water to it.
He was right, and he made himself that someone.
In 1870, when Nathan Meeker came looking for a site for Horace Greeley's utopian farming colony, it was Eaton who pointed him southeast toward the confluence of the South Platte and the Poudre, and then helped dig the canals that made the whole experiment possible. That colony became Greeley. Eaton became one of its most essential partners.
Over the following decades, working with investors, contractors, and fellow landowners, he was a driving force behind what became the longest irrigation canal in the state. The Larimer and Weld Canal, originally called the Eaton Ditch, watered 50,000 acres across two counties. The Windsor Reservoir followed. Canal systems threaded across much of the region you're reading this from right now. These were collective efforts, but Eaton was consistently the one pushing them forward, finding the money, and making the promises.
He served as Colorado's fourth governor from 1885 to 1887, earning the nickname "The Farmer Governor." He's one of sixteen Coloradans depicted in stained glass on the rotunda of the State Capitol. He died in Greeley in 1904.
The town named for him carries his name quietly, the way good work often does. No fanfare. Just the fields, the water, and everything that grew from both.
Akinz (Fort Collins)
There is a specific kind of magic in walking into a shop and hearing the rhythmic hum of a sewing machine or catching the scent of fresh ink before a shirt even hits the rack. In a world where most things are shipped in from elsewhere, Akinz stands as a testament to the "Made in Fort Collins" spirit. Since 2005, they’ve been proving that you don’t need a massive factory to create something world-class — just a little grit, a lot of creativity, and a deep love for the Northern Colorado lifestyle.
Why We Love Them:
The Craft: They aren't just a retail shop; they are a working studio where you can often see the beanies being sewn or the shirts being printed right behind the counter.
The Ethos: Their "Find Your Wings" motto captures that specific Northern Colorado blend of outdoor adventure and creative independence.
The Quality: In a world of fast fashion, their gear is built to actually survive a weekend at Horsetooth or a windy day in Wellington.
SEED STARTING · Week 2 of 6
Planted at the Edge of the Equinox
The spring equinox arrives this week, and your grow lights are earning their keep. If you started seeds two weeks ago, your onions are doing their elegant little grassy thing and your pepper trays are showing their first tiny green loops. Good. Keep going — because this week's lineup is one of the most exciting of the entire season. This is where the summer garden really begins.
🌱 Start These Seeds Indoors This Week
Tomatoes: The crown jewel of the NoCo summer garden. ¼ inch deep, 70–75°F, and they'll pop up in 5–10 days. The moment they sprout, get them under lights — they will stretch toward any window and get irreversibly leggy before you notice. Window: Mar 12–26.
Eggplants: Heat lovers that take their time and reward patience. Keep them warm (a heat mat helps). They sulk badly in cool soil, so don't rush them outside. Window: Mar 12–26.
Kale: Hardy, fast-growing, transplants out in late April before last frost — and tastes genuinely better after a light frost, if you can believe it. Window: Mar 12–26.
Cabbage: Start now for a late-April transplant. Cool-season tough, handles light frost once established. Window: Mar 12–26.
Kohlrabi: Underrated and underplanted in NOCO gardens. Tastes like broccoli crossed with an apple. Great for kids who are suspicious of vegetables. Window: Mar 12–26.
Collards: Thrives in our climate. Start now, transplant mid-April. Window: Mar 12–26.
Lettuce: Quick germinator. Start a tray now for early spring greens from a cold frame or sheltered bed. Window: Mar 12–26.
Sage, Marjoram, Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Chives & Chamomile: Get the herb garden rolling. These slower-growing herbs need the head start to be full and useful by summer. Window: Mar 12–26.
Turmeric: A surprise NOCO performer. Start indoors now for rhizomes to harvest in fall. Window: Mar 12–Apr 9.
💡QUICK TIPS
Tomatoes don't need light to germinate, just warmth. The moment they sprout, lights on immediately.
Keep grow lights 2–3 inches above seedling tops. ‘Leggy tomatoes’(tall, spindly seedlings stretching for more light, often caused by inadequate lighting, excessive warmth, or staying in small pots too long) are harder to fix than people think — you can bury the stem at transplant, but it's better to avoid the problem in the first place.
Pale or yellow peppers from two weeks ago? A quarter-strength liquid fish fertilizer gives them a gentle, non-burning nudge.
Rotate trays a quarter turn every few days. At our latitude, even grow lights have stronger zones.
The Garden Connection: Planning on planting serviceberries or jostaberries from last week? Both do well on the east side of a garden, casting afternoon shade on nearby beds. Your lettuce and kale seedlings will thank you come July when they're fighting the urge to bolt in the NOCO heat.
From Berthoud in the south to the Wyoming state line up north, Fort Morgan in the east to Estes out west, each week we will to pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.
March 17 - 23, 2026
All Weekend Long
Spring Fling Dairy Tours @ Morning Fresh Dairy Farm (Bellvue) — 9am to 5pm — A colorful guided tour featuring the "Dairy-Go-Round," the historic schoolhouse, and baby calves. 👉 Meet the cows
Weekend Toons @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 10am to noon — Classic cartoons on the big screen with an all-you-can-eat cereal bar. 👉 Cereal and cinema
SATURDAY 21st
Cars & Coffee @ South College Shop (Fort Collins) — 7am — Rev your engines with local gearheads over early morning brews. 👉 Rev up
Colorado Bowhunter Education: Internet Conclusion Course @ High Plains Shooting Range (Eaton) — 8am — The required in-person conclusion for those finishing their online certification. 👉 Complete the course
Winter Farmers Market @ Foothills Shopping Center (Fort Collins) — 10am to 2pm — Stock up on local meats, produce, and handmade goods from regional vendors. 👉 Shop local
Woodblock Portraiture Class @ Loveland Museum/Gallery (Loveland) — 10am to 4pm — Carve, ink, and press your way to a custom woodblock masterpiece. 👉 Make your mark
Irish Poker Run @ High Hops Brewery (Loveland) — 10am to 5pm — Keep the St. Paddy’s spirit rolling with a high stakes ride, a massive party, and some fresh ink! 👉 Deal in
Pi(e) Day Clay Crafts @ Makerspace (Estes Park) — 10:30am to 12:30pm — Sculpt miniature clay "pies" in honor of everyone's favorite mathematical constant. 👉 Easy as pie
Beginner Crochet Basics @ The Artisan Shop & Studio (Loveland) — 12 to 1:30pm — Learn the fundamental stitches to start your first yarn project. 👉 Get hooked
Terrarium Class @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 12 to 1pm — Build a tiny, self-sustaining glass ecosystem while enjoying a complimentary brew. 👉 Grow tiny
Herbal Bitters for the Spring Equinox with Liz Faermark @ Golden Poppy Herbs (Fort Collins) — 1 to 3pm — Formulate custom bitters to support digestion for the Spring Equinox. 👉 Sip smart
Hand Stamping Jewelry Class @ Blue Moose Art Gallery (Fort Collins) — 2 to 4pm — Learn to hammer and stamp personalized designs onto wearable metal art. 👉 Make it personal
Robert Wilson Blues Band @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm — Soulful, gritty blues grooves that pair perfectly with a patio drink. 👉 Feel the blues
Live Music: The 10 Year Echo @ Crooked Beech Brewing (Loveland) — 6 to 8pm — An acoustic duo performing a mix of 90s alternative and modern hits. 👉 Sip and sing
Duo @ Crooked Beech Brewing (Loveland) — 6 to 9pm — Folk-rock and Americana harmonies from a local favorite duo at Berthoud's newest hub. 👉 Local vibes
Puppy Yoga @ Summit Dog Training (Fort Collins) — 10am — 👉 Tune in
Eric Beringer @ The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes (Red Feather) — 7 to 9pm — Live original and classic rock from the 60s to today in the mountains. 👉 Rock the Tavern
Colorado Eagles vs. Firebirds @ Blue Arena (Loveland) — 6pm — High-speed professional hockey action as the Eagles take on Coachella Valley. 👉 Drop the puck
Smokus Pocus @ The Lyric (Fort Collins) — 8pm — A mind-bending magic and comedy show designed specifically for the 420-friendly. 👉 Prepare to be dazed
Alcohol Ink Bookmarks @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 10:30 to 12:30pm — Experiment with vibrant alcohol inks to create your own unique art for your books. 👉 Color your read
SUNDAY 22nd
Only Music // Snake River Documentary Premiere Bash @ The Neighbor (Fort Collins) — 5pm — A documentary screening celebrating river culture followed by live music. 👉 Watch and listen
Dance Night @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 6 to 8pm — Clear the floor for a high-energy night of grooves and open dancing. 👉 Cut a rug
Spring Flowers Watercolor @ Makers Mercantile & Studio (Greeley) — 1 to 3:30pm — Learn basic watercolor techniques to capture the first blooms of the season. 👉 Paint your garden
Tea Ceremony @ Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary & Clinic (Fort Collins) — 9:30 to 10:30pm — A peaceful, traditional tea experience focused on mindfulness and seasonal reflection. 👉 Slow down
Soundscape: FCS Up Close @ Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC (Fort Collins) — 2pm — An intimate chamber concert featuring principal members of the Fort Collins Symphony. 👉 Hear every note
Sunday Sound Bowl Meditation @ The Movement Apothecary (Fort Collins) — 7 to 8:30pm — Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls for a deep reset. 👉 Find your zen
Eric Golden Band @ Tom Davis Saloon (Loveland) — 8pm — Traditional honky-tonk and classic country hits perfect for an evening of dancing. 👉 Boot-scootin' Sunday
Peter Bradley Adams @ American Legion Post 119 (Estes Park) — 2pm — Intimate folk-pop melodies and masterful songwriting in the "Listening at the Legion" series. 👉 Lean in and listen
Live on the Lanes: San Leandro @ Chipper’s Lanes (Greeley) — 8 to 10pm — A night of indie-alternative vibes and catchy melodies at this stylish Old Town stage. 👉 Catch the groove
Blank Slate / Social Cinema / Bad Self Portraits / Mystee @ Surfside 7 (Fort Collins) — 8pm — 👉 Get your music on
Intro to Fly Fishing @ St. Peter's Fly Shop (Fort Collins) — 12 to 4pm — A beginner-friendly classroom session covering gear, knots, and local river strategy. 👉 Hook your interest
MONDAY 23rd
Monday Mugs & Mingles @ Feellove Coffee (Loveland) — 7:30 to 9am — Kick off the work week with local networking and fresh community-roasted coffee. 👉 Wake up and connect
Storytime: Puppy Love for National Puppy Day @ MacDonalds Book Store (Estes Park) — 9:30am — A dog-themed celebration featuring treats and local pet perks for "National Puppy Day." 👉 Bring the pup
Saving the Past for the Future @ CSU Morgan Library (Fort Collins) — 9am to 5pm — Explore 50 years of archives documenting the growth of Colorado State University. 👉 Step into history
Collective Comedy @ Collective Vintage (Fort Colins) — 8pm — A curated stand-up showcase featuring a rotating lineup of the region's funniest talent. 👉 Beat the Mondays
